ILMEA
Illinois Music Education Association
ILMEA offers the following opportunities for music students: Choir, Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Composition, and Future Educators. Any current high school music student can elect to participate in these events. All audition information can be found at ilmea.org.
Important Dates
Friday, September 1st - All District audition tracks posted online
Wednesday, September 13 - Audition excerpt information released by 12:00pm
Wednesday, September 13 - ILMEA prep session at LWE hosted by Ms. Samawi and Ms. Ann
Wednesday, September 20 - Audition nomination deadline; audition window opens for video link submission
Wednesday, October 4 - Audition window closes for audition submissions at 11:59:59pm
Saturday, November 11 - Senior Jazz Festival (Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor)
Saturday, November 18 - Senior Concert Festival (Elmhurst University, Elmhurst)
Wednesday, January 24-Saturday, January 27, 2024 - All-State Illinois Music Education Conference (Peoria, Illinois)
Wednesday, September 13 - Audition excerpt information released by 12:00pm
Wednesday, September 13 - ILMEA prep session at LWE hosted by Ms. Samawi and Ms. Ann
Wednesday, September 20 - Audition nomination deadline; audition window opens for video link submission
Wednesday, October 4 - Audition window closes for audition submissions at 11:59:59pm
Saturday, November 11 - Senior Jazz Festival (Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor)
Saturday, November 18 - Senior Concert Festival (Elmhurst University, Elmhurst)
Wednesday, January 24-Saturday, January 27, 2024 - All-State Illinois Music Education Conference (Peoria, Illinois)
ILMEA Choir Auditions
About ILMEA
The ILMEA currently offers a district festival experience for high school students in Illinois. This includes general music events, band, chorus, jazz and orchestra ensembles. Students audition to participate in the District 1 Choir (November 2023) and have the opportunity to advance to the All-State Choir (January 2024). This experience is strongly recommended for those pursuing music in any capacity after high school, but those interested in expanding their musical horizons are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This is a fantastic inclusion on your resume!
District 1 Choir Audition Process
The audition consists of a performance test totaling 100 points.
ILMEA auditions will be open to all LWE Choir students. With that said, for the CHOIR AUDITION, only 4 audition slots per voice part (soprano 1, soprano 2, alto 1, alto 2, tenor 1, tenor 2, bass 1, bass 2) are available per ILMEA rules. As such, priority will be given to upperclassmen. For the VOCAL JAZZ AUDITION, there is no limit! Anyone can audition.
The ILMEA currently offers a district festival experience for high school students in Illinois. This includes general music events, band, chorus, jazz and orchestra ensembles. Students audition to participate in the District 1 Choir (November 2023) and have the opportunity to advance to the All-State Choir (January 2024). This experience is strongly recommended for those pursuing music in any capacity after high school, but those interested in expanding their musical horizons are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This is a fantastic inclusion on your resume!
District 1 Choir Audition Process
The audition consists of a performance test totaling 100 points.
- Statewide Prepared Selection (Excerpts from both will be selected)
- The Sun Never Says (Forrest)
- Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord (Moore)
- District Selection (Only one will be selected)
- When Music Sounds (Dickau)
- Jubilate Deo (Twist)
- There Will Come Soft Rains (SSAA)
- Desperta, Ferro (Fox)
- Tonal Skills
- Sing the major triad on E
- Sing two (2) of the other three root position triads (minor, diminished, augmented), selected by the Chorus Division President. It is suggested that F and D are used as the root tones of these triads.
- Sing one major scale and one minor scale. Soprano/Tenor will sing F Major and D minor. Alto/Bass will sing Db Major and Bb minor.
- The minor scale will be selected from any one of the natural, harmonic or melodic forms. The student is responsible for all three minor forms though ONLY ONE will be performed for the audition. That form will be selected annually by the Chorus Division President and will be consistent throughout the State.
- The scales will be sung one octave up and down with the top note sung only once.
- Numbers, solfeggio, or a neutral syllable may be used. Humming is not allowed.
ILMEA auditions will be open to all LWE Choir students. With that said, for the CHOIR AUDITION, only 4 audition slots per voice part (soprano 1, soprano 2, alto 1, alto 2, tenor 1, tenor 2, bass 1, bass 2) are available per ILMEA rules. As such, priority will be given to upperclassmen. For the VOCAL JAZZ AUDITION, there is no limit! Anyone can audition.
ILMEA Vocal Jazz Auditions
District 1 Vocal Jazz Audition Process
- Required Selections
- Love Me or Leave Me (Eckert)
- Alice in Wonderland (Rutherford)
- Tonal Skills
- Chords will be performed in the key of Eb for Sopranos and Tenors; chords will be performed in the key of C for Altos and Basses. The Jazz Division President will select two of the following chords to be announced with all statewide excerpts.
- Dominant 7th Chord
- Major 7th Chord
- Minor 7th Chord
- Fully Diminished 7th Chord
- Scales will be performed in the Key of Eb for Sopranos and Tenors; scales will be performed in the Key of C for Altos and Basses. Both scales will be performed for the audition.
- Blues Scale
- Chromatic Scale
- Chords will be performed in the key of Eb for Sopranos and Tenors; chords will be performed in the key of C for Altos and Basses. The Jazz Division President will select two of the following chords to be announced with all statewide excerpts.
- Improvisation on C Blues (2 full choruses)
- All voices will begin on C. Students will be asked to demonstrate improvisational ability with the required Blues in C. Students will listen for one chorus, and will improvise for two full choruses.
If you are interested in auditioning for either CHOIR or VOCAL JAZZ, you must be absolutely sure that you can attend the important dates listed above. By filling out this form, you are committing to submitting an audition by the provided deadline. Please fill out this interest form by Tuesday, September 12th. Ms. Samawi will confirm with you if you have been selected to participate.
